Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 March 2019
99. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the impact of the cost overruns for the national children's hospital on important capital projects at Beaumont Hospital in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11797/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recently outlined how the €99m necessary this year for the timely provision of the new children’s hospital will be accommodated with a minimum of disruption to the scheduled rollout of key infrastructure projects under Project Ireland 2040.
The new children’s hospital is a vital and much needed project. The Government has examined the funding pressures associated with delivering this important project. In meeting these funding pressures, Government has examined all projects and programmes across Government and has made adjustments to ensure that the much-needed new children’s hospital will be delivered and will facilitate delivering the overall investment programme, as set out in Project Ireland 2040.
Projects that are currently in construction and are contractually committed will not be affected.
The Health Service Executive is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2019. The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the available capital funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway and the relevant priority of each project.
The requirements of the new children's hospital and other health capital projects including capital proposals at Beaumont Hospital, currently at various stages of development, are being considered as part of this process. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
